Myth Elements & Theme
True or False: All myths include real historical figures.
False
What is created on the turtle’s back?
The Earth
What does the speaker see in the sky?
A Comet
How were creation myths passed down?
Orally
What is one element that both myths have in common?
Both myths explain how something in the world began and include supernatural beings or talking animals.
Who falls from the Sky World?
The Sky Woman
What does the speaker wonder about the comet?
Where it came from.
If it a world being punished.
If it is seeking help from a God.
What is a creation myth?
A supernatural religious story that describes the beginnings of humanity, earth, life, and the universe.
What shows the Cherokee value cleverness over strength?
The Water Spider succeeds
Why does the grandmother become the moon?
She favors the left-handed twin, so the right-handed twin killed her, and now she shines over the night sky with her favorite grandson.
What does the speaker compare his journey through the sky to?
Fremont finding gold after crossing the Rocky Mountains.
Why should we study creation myths?
They reveal the beliefs and values of a culture.
How does each myth explain something about the natural world?
The World on the Turtle’s Back explains how the Earth was created, and The First Fire explains how fire came to the world.
What do the twins represent?
Good and evil / balance
What does the speaker imagine people might think about him if he could travel through the sky and return?
He imagines that people would be impressed by what he experienced/accomplished
What is “cultural value”?
A belief or idea important to a society
Which story’s theme is that intelligence can overcome strength?
The First Fire Cherokee
What is one theme/moral this myth teaches us about people or nature?
- Many things in life have opposite sides.
- Everything has a beginning.
- Nature helps explain and support the traditions and values people follow.
- There will always be conflict because of opposite sides or things not being perfect.
- Heritage is the beliefs, traditions, and ways of life that families pass down over time.
What does the speaker’s repeated imagining of traveling through the sky show about how he views the world beyond him?
He is curious and fascinated by what is unknown, and he uses his imagination to explore it.
What was the name of the Native American group that "The World on The Turtle's Back" came from?
The Iroquis